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Impact On Our Nation

National Service in Your State - Arizona

2014-2015

Meeting Community Needs in Arizona: More than 3,400 people of all ages and backgrounds are helping to meet local needs, strengthen communities, and increase civic engagement through national service in Arizona. Serving at more than 770 locations throughout the state, these citizens tutor and mentor children, support veterans and military families, provide health services, restore the environment, respond to disasters, increase economic opportunity, and recruit and manage volunteers. This year, the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) will commit more than $18,040,000 to support Arizona communities through national service initiatives. Through a unique public-private partnership, this federal investment will leverage an additional $5,500,000 in other resources to strengthen community impact, build local support, and increase return on taxpayer dollars.

AmeriCorps

This year, AmeriCorps will provide more than 1,600 individuals the opportunity to provide intensive, results-driven service to meet education, environmental, health, economic, and other pressing needs in communities across Arizona. Most AmeriCorps grant funding goes to the Arizona Governor's Commission on Service and Volunteerism, which in turn awards grants to nonprofit groups to respond to local needs. Most of the remainder of the grant funding is distributed by CNCS directly to multi-state and national organizations through a competitive grants process. Other individuals serve through AmeriCorps VISTA, whose members help bring individuals and communities out of poverty by serving full-time to fight illiteracy, improve health services, create businesses, and increase housing opportunities, and AmeriCorps NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps), a 10-month, full time residential program for men and women between the ages of 18 and 24. In exchange for their service, AmeriCorps members earn an education award that can be used to pay for college or to pay back qualified student loans. Since 1994, more than 18,000Arizona residents have served more than 18 million hours and have qualified for Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards totaling more than $44,050,000.

Senior Corps

More than 1,800 seniors in Arizona contribute their time and talents in one of three Senior Corps programs. Foster Grandparents serve one-on-one as tutors and mentors to more than 1,200 young people who have special needs. Senior Companions help more than 510 homebound seniors and other adults maintain independence in their own homes. RSVP volunteers conduct safety patrols, renovate homes, protect the environment, tutor and mentor youth, respond to natural disasters, and provide other services through more than 110 groups across Arizona.

The Corporation for National and Community Service is a federal agency that improves lives, strengthens communities, and fosters civic engagement through service and volunteering. CNCS annually engages more than five million Americans in service to meet local needs through Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and national days of service; improves communities through the Social Innovation Fund, and leads President Obama's national call to service initiative, United We Serve. To learn more visit NationalService.gov or Serve.gov or call 202-606-5000 or TTY 1-800-833-3722.